2026 SESSION
ENROLLED
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 85
Commending Katie Register.
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 2, 2026
Agreed to by the Senate, February 5, 2026
WHEREAS, Katie Register, who dedicated her career to environmental conservation and public service, leaving an indelible mark on the Commonwealth, retired from her role as the executive director of Clean Virginia Waterways in 2024; and
WHEREAS, Katie Register led Clean Virginia Waterways, formerly a program of Longwood University, with passion, vision, and an unwavering commitment to protecting and preserving the Commonwealth's waterways for future generations; and
WHEREAS, Katie Register was a tireless advocate for reducing plastic pollution, improving waste management, and fostering environmental education, inspiring individuals and communities across Virginia to take action for the health of their local ecosystems; and
WHEREAS, Katie Register spearheaded numerous initiatives to combat marine debris, including organizing statewide cleanup efforts that engaged more than 120,000 volunteers and removed more than five million pounds of debris from Virginia's rivers, streams, and shorelines; and
WHEREAS, Katie Register is a pioneer in marine debris research from cigarette butts to abandoned vessels, and she is a coauthor of the Virginia Marine Debris Reduction Plan, the first marine debris reduction plan on the east coast of the United States; and